After about 30 years, Calvary Chapel Fellowship Church decided it was time to start remodeling their worship area for a fresh new look, while still using some of their existing materials. Along with the aesthetic upgrades, the band got new instruments and an upgraded sound system was installed. After upgrading the band’s gear with new equipment combined with better speakers, the space was too reverberant.

See More: Guidelines for Worship Center Sound Treatment

Church Acoustics

In the past, the church used spray insulation on the walls to act as a sound absorber, with fabric wrapped wood frames to cover up the unattractive spray foam. With the new and more powerful sound system installed, the spray foam was not going to provide the echo reduction needed in the worship space.

The pastor at Calvary Chapel contacted Commercial Acoustics to come take a look to see what could be done. Our team was able to use the existing fabric wrapped wooden frames and replace the old, discolored fabric with Guilford of Maine acoustically transparent fabric. Additional panels were also fabricated by our team, because this time around the church wanted the entirety of the back wall covered – including the windows. Then, rather than relying on the spray foam for sound absorption, 1″ thick, 6 pcf fiberglass was fastened to the walls prior to the wood framed panels.

Because the client was going for a seamless look with all of the panels touching, it made more sense to do a modified acoustic fabric wall. It also worked with the client’s desire to use their original wood frames, modified with new fabric and NRC rated fiberglass attached to the wall underneath. The end result had the back wall completely covered in the freshly wrapped panels, along with part of the stage area right next to the band and preacher. Some wall sections on the side were also fitted with new panels.

The congregation is very excited to resume services now that the remodel is mostly complete, and the pastor was very pleased with the look and performance of the new acoustic fabric wall.

Acoustic Fabric Wall in Worship Centers

In churches that use amplified instruments and PA systems for the preacher, sound absorption is a key component for intelligible song and speech. Not all churches require such extensive acoustics treatment or any acoustic treatment at all, it’s usually dependent on the church layout, design, and finishes.

Any time a client asks for acoustic wall panels to be touching each other, and to cover a large amount of wall space, acoustic fabric wall is the ideal solution. It helps to achieve a seamless look while maximizing the amount of sound absorption in a space.